
Visa Sponsorship and How It Works
- Visa Sponsorship for Family. Family-based immigration is the most common way to obtain a green card. In fact, over...
- Employment-Based Visa Sponsors. When American employers are unable to find qualified workers within the United States,...
- Self-Sponsorship. Certain individuals may actually petition themselves for a green card. This is an...
Full Answer
Will you require visa sponsorship?
Even within the US work visas, for very short seasonal work you might not need a sponsorship. But you must keep in mind that most employment offers in the US will need a visa sponsorship. The US visas have groups of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. Below are the ones that need employment sponsorships. Nonimmigrant Visas Employment Sponsorship
What does visa sponsorship available mean?
What Does Visa Sponsorship Available Mean. Visa sponsorship available means an employer is willing to obtain a work visa for highly-qualified candidates who live outside the United States. To be eligible for visa sponsorship, employers must show that they were unable to fill their vacancies with qualified American workers. The H-1B visa is the ...
Do you require visa sponsorship from the company?
Sponsorship Visa, is required for work visas and that would be sponsored by the company you plan on working for, student visas, has two classifications to it, a family can sponsor a foreign student, for example high school, a two year collage, and the family sponsoring the student will receive payment by the government for the foreign exchange student, a University may sponsor a foreign student and receive payment, and the foreign exchange student education in a field that is being offered ...
What are the requirements for sponsorship?
- Your details, including your name and address
- Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status
- Information about the person you are sponsoring
- Your employment and financial information, including your financial assets and income
- Your dependents (household members) and your marital status

How do visa sponsorships work?
A US visa or employment sponsorship means that the employer in the US is hiring you. They are guaranteeing to the US visa authorities that you will be a legal working resident. The employer will state that you will work the job position they hired you for.
How long does it take for a sponsorship visa to be approved?
The USCIS generally takes three to six months to process a completed application, but employers may choose to expedite the process by paying for premium processing, which guarantees the USCIS will adjudicate the petition within 15 days. For more information, see How Do I Use the Premium Processing Service?
How much does it take to sponsor a visa?
How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Visa? In general, a visa sponsorship costs approximately $4000 but may cost $8-9,000 if a company has more than fifty employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals.
What is involved in visa sponsorship?
In simple terms, visa sponsorship is when a family member or organization advocates for an individual's visa. As the applicant for a visa, it means you have an advocate that supports your entry to the United States for the purposes stated in the visa. There are a variety of visa types and ways to get sponsored.
How long does a sponsorship last?
The sponsor's responsibility lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, has earned 40 work quarters credited toward Social Security (a work quarter is about three months, so this means about ten years of work), dies, or permanently leaves the United States.
What are the requirements to be a sponsor for an immigrant?
All sponsors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old, and be living in the United States (including territories and possessions) when they file the affidavit of support.
What are sponsorship fees?
How Much Will Sponsoring an H1-B Visa Cost an Employer? An H-1B Visa (or H-1B transfer) will cost you around $5000 (including government fees). Immigration lawyer fees should costs $2000 to $3000, while filing fees are around $3000.
How much do sponsorships pay?
How Much Do Sponsors Pay YouTubers, After All? Long story short – sponsors paid YouTubers about $0.089 per view on average in 2020 according to a 2020 survey. Two years later in 2022, you can expect to pay up to 10-25% more than that. Plus, the survey received mixed responses ranging from $0.035 to $0.15 per view.
How much money do I need to make to sponsor an immigrant 2022?
The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $22,887. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not in active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.
Who pays for visa sponsorship?
You must pay the immigration skills charge if they're applying for a visa from: outside the UK to work in the UK for 6 months or more. inside the UK for any length of time.
What documents are needed for sponsorship?
To bring a parent or parents to the U.S. on a B visa, you will need to gather or create several supporting documents, including:Affidavit of Support Form (Form I-134)Tourist Visa Invitation Letter.Tourist Visa Sponsor Letter.Financial Documents.Proof of Sponsor's Residency Status.
Can a friend sponsor me to us?
The U.S. immigration laws do not allow you to sponsor someone just because they are your friend. If a person seeks to enter the U.S. through a family member, the person entering the U.S. must have a financial sponsor.
How long does it take to sponsor a brother to USA 2022?
If you've submitted everything correctly and accurately, the application will be approved. This usually takes somewhere between 2 to 5 years. But the waiting time may further extend in some cases. You may be asked to wait until the priority date and the visa bulletin dates become current.
How long does it take to issue certificate of sponsorship?
Applications for a defined certificate are generally approved within one working day, but can take longer if the UKVI need to check further information contained within the application. Defined certificates will appear in the SMS account once they have been approved, which you can then assign to your worker.
How long does it take to process UK certificate of sponsorship?
When you get the certificate. Applications are usually approved within one working day. It may take longer if UKVI need to carry out further checks on the information in your application. Defined certificates will appear in your SMS account once they have been approved.
How Much Does visa sponsorship cost UK?
How much it costsPeriodSmall or charitable sponsorsMedium or large sponsorsFirst 12 months£364£1,000Each additional 6 months£182£500
What is a US Visa Sponsorship?
The company you plan to work for must know that you are not a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR). If the employer is aware and still wants to hire you, then they agree to sponsor you.
How much does the sponsor visa cost?
Especially to the US employer who has to pay most of the fees. Depending on the visa, it might cost up to a few thousand dollars to sponsor a foreign employee. Because it is so expensive, employers are reluctant to do it.
How Do I Get a Sponsor Letter for US Visa?
As explained, getting a sponsorship employment visa requires you to have an offer from a US employer. The US employer must send you a contract to sign, which will then be part of the sponsorship documents.
How Long is the Sponsor visa USA valid?
Once you go to the US, you can start working. But if you have a nonimmigrant work visa, then its validity is temporary. This means that after some time, it will expire.
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
Nonimmigrant Visas Employment Sponsorship. US nonimmigrant visas are for temporary stays in the country. They are not Green Cards and do not give the right to their holders to become US citizens. There are many types of US nonimmigrant visas, but some of the most popular are the employment ones.
What does it mean to sponsor an employer?
If the employer is aware and still wants to hire you, then they agree to sponsor you. A US visa or employment sponsorship means that the employer in the US is hiring you. They are guaranteeing to the US visa authorities that you will be a legal working resident. The employer will state that you will work the job position they hired you for.
How long is a non-immigrant visa valid?
How long the nonimmigrant work visa is valid depends on the type of visa you have. Some like the H-1B visa are valid for 3 years, while others could only be valid for 1 year. So you must check the details of your visa to not overstay. When the time comes for your visa to expire, some can get extensions.
What is visa sponsoring?
Visa Sponsorship is a set of documents which states and guarantees working status and job profile within the United States. Ideally, if you are looking to relocate to the US, you would need to find a job, and the employer, in turn, has to be willing to hire a non-resident employee for the particular job profile.
Who Can Sponsor a Visa?
Ideally, getting a Visa sponsorship is possible only when you have a working job offer in your name from a US company. In other terms, the employer would sponsor the Visa and submit related documents on your behalf. But they can make the sponsorship only in certain situations.
What happens if a visa is approved?
At this point in time, the employee can start the actual Visa application process in their home country, with the US Embassy.
How long does a sponsor visa last?
For instance, if you opt for an Immigrant Visa, it is a permanent solution. This effectively means you are a Green Card holder with a validity of 10 years, followed by unlimited extensions. You can also apply for permanent citizenship after five years of your stay in the United States.
How long does it take for a visa to be approved?
This takes some time, depending upon the total number of pending cases with the USCIS. Sometimes, it takes months for the application to be processed.
How much does a visa sponsorship cost?
In general, a visa sponsorship costs approximately $4000 but may cost $8-9,000 if a company has more than fifty employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals.
Can a non-immigrant sponsor a green card?
This is valid for individuals who are only temporarily moving to the country. This means Non-immigrant visa holders are not eligible for Green Cards, indicating that the Visa does not qualify for US citizenship later.
How Does Sponsorship Work for Family-Based Visas?
Family-based visas are the most common form of obtaining a Green Card. Over 600,000 people receive their Green Cards through family-based petitions. Your US-based relative must submit Form I-864, Affidavit of Support and various other supporting documents to petition for your permanent residence.
How Does Sponsorship Work for Visitor Visas?
All visitors have a specific purpose for visiting the US. It is expected of the visitors to return to their home country after completion of their purpose of visit.
How Does Sponsorship Work for Employment-Based Visas?
US-based employers hire foreign workers when they are unable to find any US citizen or lawful permanent resident to fill their vacancy. This comes as an opportunity for foreign nationals to apply for an employment-based visa. These job opportunities may be temporary or permanent.
Can You Self-Petition Your Visa in the United States?
Certain individuals may even be able to petition themselves for a Green Card. However, this is true for a very limited group of foreign workers.
What is Work Visa sponsorship?
The very first step in getting a work visa is finding a sponsor. Your sponsor will need to submit an application on your behalf and prove that they can employ you. They will also need to prove that there are no qualified local citizens available and willing to do the job.
How long will it take to get a work visa?
In most cases, work visa sponsorship applications will take a few weeks to several months. In some cases, the application may even be rejected altogether!
What qualifies you for a work visa?
The work visa requirements vary from country to country , but some standard requirements apply in most cases.
How long is a work visa last?
A work visa will usually be valid for a specific time, usually between one and five years. Once the permit expires, you will need to leave the country or apply for an extension.
What if my work visa expires?
If your work visa expires, you will need to leave the country or apply for an extension. It is important to remember that work visas are not permanent and cannot stay in a country indefinitely. You must either find another sponsor or leave the country when your visa expires.
How much does it cost to get a work visa?
The cost of getting a work visa will vary depending on which country you are applying in and the type of visa you require. In some cases, there may be no charge at all, while other visas may come with a hefty price tag.
Are there any restrictions on what I can do with my work visa?
If you have a temporary work visa, you may be limited to the type of work you can do and the amount of time you are allowed to stay in the country.
What happens if a petition for a work visa is approved?
If the petition for your work visa is approved by the USCIS, only then will you be given instructions on what you need to do next to actually begin the US work visa application process.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
Non-Immigrant Visas. You’re eligible if you have at least a bachelor’s degree and a job offer that requires specialized skills. This is the most popular US work visa. You’re eligible if you are transferring from a company you work for outside of the US to an affiliate branch of the same company in the US .
What are the different types of work visas?
Well, for starters, it’s important you know that there are two main types of work visas: 1 Non-immigrant work visas for temporary employment and.
What is the first step to getting a work visa?
As you now know, landing a job offer is one of the first steps toward getting a US work visa. But what happens next?
Can a company sponsor a work visa?
Not all US companies will be able or willing to sponsor your work visa. But here’s a list of the types of companies that typically sponsor US work visas for foreign nationals:
What is an intra company transfer visa?
The Intra-Company Transfer visa, or L1 visa as it is officially known, can also be used for employees who are being sent to the United States to open a new office.
What is a H1B visa?
The Speciality Occupation visa, or H1B vis a as it is otherwise known, is a non-immigrant work visa for graduate level workers to undertake a role with a US employer in a speciality occupation requiring theoretical or technical expertise.
What is an E1 trader visa?
Under the E1 Treaty Trader visa, you must be coming to the US to engage in substantial trade in either goods, money or services, principally between the USA and your treaty country, building on an existing trading relationship.
Does a visa guarantee entry?
That said, the grant of a visa does not necessarily guarantee entry. Having a visa only indicates a consular officer has determined you are eligible to seek entry to the USA for that specific purpose. It remains at the discretion of immigration officials at the port of entry to determine your eligibility for admission into the country.
What is an employee sponsor?
An employee sponsor is typically someone in upper-level management or executive professional within an organization who financially supports an employee from another country. The financial backing employers provide to sponsor foreign employees is usually assistance with getting a work visa so an employee can temporarily work for the hiring company.
Types of work visas
There are several types of work visas that support employee sponsorship, and the specific work visa that your organization needs can depend on the type of job you hire foreign talent to perform. Work visas fall into two categories: non-immigrant and permanent work visas.
Who is eligible for work visas and sponsorship of employment?
Foreign employees seeking sponsorship through temporary work visas must meet several eligibility requirements specific to the type of visa they're applying for. Essentially, temporary work visas are available to candidates whose work belongs in one of the following categories:
How to sponsor an employee
If you're pursuing an employee sponsorship program, the following steps can provide some insight into the steps you can expect to take in the process:
Benefits of employee sponsorship programs
Sponsoring a foreign employee can be extremely beneficial for an organization, so if your leadership role gives you the ability to find and sponsor highly qualified candidates from other countries, consider some reasons why many specialized industries may sponsor foreign employees:
How are H-1B visas different from other nonimmigrant visa programs?
However, an H1-B visa provides the most streamlined process to gain permanent resident status for a foreign employee through a concept known as “dual intent.”
Who can use H1-B visas?
Nonimmigrants who are slated to work under a “specialty occupation” are eligible to be sponsored by their future employer for an H1-B visa. They must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited university. Those with higher education can also receive this visa.
What is an H-1B visa?
Obtaining an H1-B visa will allow a United States company or employer to sponsor a nonimmigrant to come to the United States and work in what’s known as a “specialty occupation.”
Who files the petition for the worker?
The employer files all of the petition documentation for the worker and pays for all the fees associated with the petition process.
How to apply for an immigrant visa?
To be considered for an immigrant visa under some of the employment-based categories below, the applicant's prospective employer or agent must first obtain a labor certification approval from the Department of Labor. Once received (if required), the employer then files an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the appropriate employment-based preference category. (NOTE: Persons with extraordinary abilities in the Employment First preference category are able to file their own petitions.) When filing the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, see the detailed form instructions, as well as more detailed requirements information on the USCIS Permanent Workers webpage.
Where does the NVC send the visa application?
NVC then sends the file, containing the applicant’s petition and the documents listed above, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the applicant will be interviewed for a visa. The applicant, attorney, and third-party agent, if applicable, will receive appointment emails, or letters (if no email address is available), containing the date and time of the applicant's visa interview along with instructions, including guidance for obtaining a medical examination.
Why do immigration cases take so long?
Employment based immigrant visa cases take additional time because they are in numerically limited visa categories. The length of time varies from case to case and cannot be predicted for individual cases with any accuracy. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the consular officer interviews the applicant.
How long do you have to wait to get an immigration visa?
Immigrant visas cannot be issued until an applicant's priority date is reached. In certain heavily oversubscribed categories, there may be a waiting period of several years before a priority date is reached. Check the Visa Bulletin for the latest priority dates.
Is the USCIS fee refundable?
Note: Fees must be paid for each intending immigrant, regardless of age, and are not refundable. Fees should not be paid to the NVC or paid at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you have your visa interview unless specifically requested.
Can you get a visa if you are misrepresenting a fact?
Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact or fraud may result in you becoming permanently ineligible to receive a U.S. visa or enter the United States.
Can My Family Members also Receive Immigrant Visas?
Based on your approved petition, your spouse and minor unmarried children, younger than 21, may apply for immigrant visas with you. Like you, they must also fill out required application forms, obtain required civil documents, pay the required fees, and undergo medical examinations. Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS. For further information, please see our FAQ’s.
